The Japanese government decided on Wednesday that it will lift COVID-19 priority measures imposed on Tokyo and other prefectures, broadcaster NHK reported as a wave of infections caused by the Omicron variant continues to ebb in the country.

The restrictions, which authorities call "priority measures", were imposed on 18 Japanese prefectures back in January, and are due to expire on March 21.

But the government still needed to consult with an expert panel before making the lift policy official.